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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: PythoN on Mon, 17 June 2013, 22:47:55

Title: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: PythoN on Mon, 17 June 2013, 22:47:55
hey geekhack!

i'm new here, but anyway here is my story.

i got a cm storm quickfire pro with brown switches about a month and a half ago, and i must say i LOVE it. typing is awesome, browns are great, however the thing is that i have never tried out any other switches. i blindly bought browns based off of research and the fact that people say it's for a mix of gaming and typing, so i went for it (the quickfire pro being the most cost efficient option).
however, i am VERY ocd when it comes to the gear i use. i do tonsss of research and right now i feel like my keyboard may not be the best available on the market. i'm thinking that maybe there is another switch that would suit me better than the brown switch.
i play starcraft 2 90% of the time when i'm playing any games on my PC, and when i'm not doing that i am typing in twitch chat, on forums, or reports for school.
if i have the chance to refund/sell my quickfire for a good price, does anyone have suggestions for another keyboard that is relatively cheap but well known for its solid build and great feel? i was looking into the quickfire rapid with reds, blues, or greens, however there isn't any way for me to try out the keyboards in person, so i am relying on you guys out there with experience with many boards to guide me in the right direction :D
or maybe i am just paranoid? maybe my keyboard is awesome and i should be glad that i was lucky enough to purchase it  ;D please discuss, and thanks for any advice guys!
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 17 June 2013, 22:52:29
Welcome to Geekhack!

There is no BEST choice overall.

Each person has their own favourite.

The only way really is to try different switches, which might mean finding someone with a keyboard that you can try, or just buying them.

Most around here seem to follow the latter philosophy ;)
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: PythoN on Mon, 17 June 2013, 22:55:11
thanks for the reply!

the problem is i only have one other friend using a mechanical keyboard and he lives relatively far away. his board is a QFR with blue switches and i don't know if i'd have a chance of trying it out. also i live in toronto and there are literally no stores that stock mechanical keyboards ready for me to use. it makes me sad that this kind of stuff isn't as accessible in my town.
if anyone lives in toronto or knows of a place i can try out different switches, please let me know and i'll be forever greatful  :D
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: Hyde on Mon, 17 June 2013, 23:08:13
Go to Canada Computers, they have a lot of mechanical keyboards on display for you to try.  Also both Canada Computers and NCIX have a pretty huge selection now.

As for switch, I think MX Brown is a good starting switch.  It has the lowest failure rate for first timers lol.

Now if you want the BEST keyboard, best is subjective but I can suggest you a few.

Filco is generally pretty well regarded just expensive.  CM Storm QuickFire Rapid/Stealth is consider best quality for the money.  Ducky is consider as best backlit keyboard.  However I think Max Keyboard is a good backlit option too I haven't heard any owner complain yet.

So yeah check out your local Canada Computers first  :)
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: wetto on Tue, 18 June 2013, 00:53:28
First mechanical keyboards always hold dear places to us, especially when you made a good choice right off the bat.

I love Cherry MX Brown switches, it was the first mechanical switch I ever used (on my Metadot Das Keyboard Professional Silent) and even after having tried all other switches and expanding my keyboard collection, it's still my favorite and the Das is still very special to me, especially after I modded it:

(http://imageshack.us/a/img515/7361/dsc03702uu.jpg)

But anyways, try lots of keyboards on your way out there, no one can say which switch is better for you and remember:

Backlighting doesn't makes a keyboard better. Actually, thin ABS keycaps with dubious printing only makes the keyboard's quality even worse. By the way, they also makes replacing switches a LOT more difficult to do.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: ViewMaster on Wed, 19 June 2013, 18:43:59
I think you made the right choice. I tried to get that board after trying a few different setups.
think about what aspect you want to improve first, travel, noise, activation pressure. Y ou want better harder faster stronger?  :cool:
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/sampler-kit-1/wasd-sampler-kit.html
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: Hyde on Wed, 19 June 2013, 19:11:51
First mechanical keyboards always hold dear places to us, especially when you made a good choice right off the bat.

I love Cherry MX Brown switches, it was the first mechanical switch I ever used (on my Metadot Das Keyboard Professional Silent) and even after having tried all other switches and expanding my keyboard collection, it's still my favorite and the Das is still very special to me, especially after I modded it:

Yupe I still like my Costar Das very much, it was also my first mechanical keyboard.  I think I'll keep it forever lol.

Though a fair warning for OP.  The newer Das doesn't have the same build quality anymore, they're made in a different place now so beware.

As for different switches, I think you'll eventually try all of them anyway so might as well keep your keyboard for now lol.  And buy more later  :P
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: Photoelectric on Wed, 19 June 2013, 20:14:23
I've tried MANY different MX switches now and variations (all of the common ones, a number of uncommon), and MX Browns are still my favorite.  I just love them.  The kind that has low friction, as some batches have pretty high friction out of the box.  My Ducky and Filco have buttery smooth Browns.

As for the best keyboard... it's in the eye of the beholder :)  Most are adequately good quality, and "best" is a subjective qualifier.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 19 June 2013, 20:31:41
I've tried MANY different MX switches now and variations (all of the common ones, a number of uncommon), and MX Browns are still my favorite.  I just love them.  The kind that has low friction, as some batches have pretty high friction out of the box.  My Ducky and Filco have buttery smooth Browns.

As for the best keyboard... it's in the eye of the beholder :)  Most are adequately good quality, and "best" is a subjective qualifier.

He's lying....
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: Photoelectric on Wed, 19 June 2013, 20:32:43
He's lying....

He's trolling....
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 19 June 2013, 20:38:35
He's lying....

He's trolling....

nobody likes brown...   I've never met such a person..
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: kmiller8 on Wed, 19 June 2013, 20:45:05
Browns are terrible, get blues. Best switch MX.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: Photoelectric on Wed, 19 June 2013, 21:03:02
Blues: CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK ad infinitum :)  But I agree, they are fun!  :p
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: Hyde on Wed, 19 June 2013, 22:45:52
lol Blue is hit or miss, I don't advise that as first switch to try out.  Brown and Red are more well rounded and kind of safer choice in my opinion.

Though overall I'd say Brown is still safer compare to Red because the tactility is more familiar and easier to get used to.

But in the end it's really a preference so I say try them all lol.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 19 June 2013, 22:47:33
I read here somewhere that those new to mechanical keyboards should not get MX reds as the typing experience is too close to rubber dome.  Browns at least would have tactility.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: lyrill on Thu, 20 June 2013, 04:22:08
lol Blue is hit or miss, I don't advise that as first switch to try out.  Brown and Red are more well rounded and kind of safer choice in my opinion.

Though overall I'd say Brown is still safer compare to Red because the tactility is more familiar and easier to get used to.

But in the end it's really a preference so I say try them all lol.

you seem to put too much stress on how people are used to rubber dome.

cherry reds are among the highest in sales.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: Photoelectric on Thu, 20 June 2013, 09:34:13
lol Blue is hit or miss, I don't advise that as first switch to try out.  Brown and Red are more well rounded and kind of safer choice in my opinion.

Though overall I'd say Brown is still safer compare to Red because the tactility is more familiar and easier to get used to.

But in the end it's really a preference so I say try them all lol.

you seem to put too much stress on how people are used to rubber dome.

cherry reds are among the highest in sales.

I believe that is due to successful marketing by companies like Corsair and resulting word of mouth.  Red being the best "gamer" switch and all that.  I dislike Reds myself.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: tgujay on Thu, 20 June 2013, 10:46:51
Browns are terrible, get blues. Best switch MX.

Truer words never spoken.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: PythoN on Thu, 20 June 2013, 19:54:12
why are browns terrible? am i missing out on something here? because from i know all the switches are up to the user's preference
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: kmiller8 on Thu, 20 June 2013, 20:06:53
user's preference

exactly, asking people to buy something for you will obviously be affected by their preferences.

IMO browns are terrible because they're a ****ty compromise between clicky and linear. If you want tactile without clicky, get a $5 rubberdome board.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: PythoN on Thu, 20 June 2013, 20:10:24
or I can just stick with browns...
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: kmiller8 on Thu, 20 June 2013, 20:11:37
exactly! stick with what you like.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Pro - the BEST choice?
Post by: Photoelectric on Thu, 20 June 2013, 20:11:40
or I can just stick with browns...

:Thumbs up!:  :cool: